Minor Suit Stayman: The 1NT - 2♠ Ask for a Minor

Minor Suit Stayman is a 2♠ response to partner's 1NT opening that asks opener to show a four-card minor. Opener bids 3♣ or 3♦ with four or more cards in that minor, or 2NT without one. Responder uses it with length in both minors and no four-card major, to look for a minor-suit slam or to stay out of a shaky 3NT.

The bid works because Jacoby transfers use 2♦ and 2♥ for the majors, which leaves 2♠ free. Not every pair uses 2♠ this way, though. In SAYC it is a relay to 3♣, and with four-suit transfers it shows clubs. Before you play it, check what your partner thinks 2♠ means. You can see what 1NT - 2♠ means in every system. The examples below use a 15-17 1NT, the 2/1 Game Force standard.

Responder's 2♠ promises three things:

1. No four-card major. With a four-card major, start with Stayman, and with five or more, transfer.
2. Both minors: usually at least five-four. Four-four in the minors is enough only with a slam-going hand.
3. At least invitational values: about 8 HCP or more with five-four shape, more with flatter hands. Opposite 15-17, that gives the side 23 or more.

The typical hands are short in a major, such as 1-3-4-5 or 2-1-5-5, where 3NT could fail on a major-suit lead while five or six of a minor is easy. Some pairs also allow a weak hand with five-five or longer in the minors: responder bids 2♠ and stops in opener's minor at the three level. Agree whether yours does.

The basic version has three answers:

A 15-17 opener with no four-card minor is not rare: 4-3-3-3 with four cards in a major, 5-3-3-2 with a five-card major, or 4-4-3-2 with both majors. Many pairs add a refinement for maximums: a jump to 4♣ or 4♦ shows four cards and a maximum, and 3NT shows a maximum with no four-card minor and both majors stopped. Some also use 3♥ and 3♠ by opener to show a stopper. Use the simple version until you and your partner have the basics in your fingers.

After opener's answer, responder knows whether there is a minor fit and can place the contract or try for slam:

The shortness bids are the heart of the convention. Opener looks at his major-suit cards: an ace opposite a singleton is still a trick, but a king or queen there is wasted. With his values in the other suits and a fit, opener can drive to slam, often through a key card ask. A good way to ask in a minor without going past five of the minor is Kickback or Minorwood.

South holds 11 HCP opposite 15-17, so the side has game values, and the singleton spade makes 3NT unattractive. South bids 2♠ and North shows four clubs. Now South bids 3♠: short spades, slam interest in clubs.

North loves his hand. His ♠A is his only spade honor, so nothing is wasted opposite the singleton, and his ♥K-Q, ♦K and ♣A-J all work. North asks for key cards with 4♦, Kickback for clubs. South's 5♣ shows two key cards (♦A and ♣K) plus the ♣Q. North has the other two aces, so only the ♥A is missing, and he bids 6♣.

Double dummy, 6♣ takes twelve tricks from either side: the club fit gives five trump tricks and South's long diamonds set up with a ruff. 3NT by North takes only ten. Not vulnerable, that is 920 against 430. If your pair does not play Kickback, 4NT as the ask works here too: the answer for two key cards with the queen is 5♠, and North can still bid 6♣.

Many players meet 2♠ over 1NT in a different role. The three common ones:

• Relay to 3♣ (SAYC). 1NT - 2♠ forces opener to bid 3♣. Responder passes with a weak hand and long clubs, or bids 3♦ to play in diamonds. It is a way to sign off in a minor at the three level, nothing more.
• Transfer to clubs. In four-suit transfers, 2♠ shows six or more clubs and 2NT shows diamonds.
• Range ask. Some pairs use 2♠ to ask whether opener is minimum or maximum, so that 2NT can be a transfer. Opener bids 2NT with a minimum and 3♣ with a maximum.

Minor Suit Stayman fits best in a structure where 2NT is a natural invitation. If you play four-suit transfers, you give up Minor Suit Stayman at 2♠, and you show both minors with a jump agreed for that hand.

The same idea works over a 2NT opening (20-21). There the ask is 3♠, and because opener may have to answer above 3NT, it is used only with slam interest and at least four-four in the minors. Opener bids 3NT with no four-card minor, or four of his minor. With game values and no slam interest, responder simply bids 3NT.

• With a four-card major. Use Stayman first: a 4-4 major fit is worth more than a minor fit.
• With a flat hand and no slam interest. 4-4 in the minors with 2-3 or 3-2 in the majors plays well in 3NT. Bid 3NT directly and give the defense nothing.
• With a weak hand and only five-four. Pass 1NT. Unless your pair plays the weak version, 2♠ promises invitational values.
• When your partner may not know it. An undiscussed 2♠ can be taken as a transfer or a relay. Write your meaning on your convention card.

Because 2♠ is artificial, an opponent may double it to ask for a spade lead or bid over it.

• If they double 2♠, opener gives his normal answer. A redouble shows a strong spade holding and offers to play 2♠ redoubled.
• If they overcall, opener makes his normal answer when it is still available, doubles for penalty with a good holding in their suit, or passes with a minimum and nothing to say. Responder then knows less, but he still has his shape to describe.

The double also tells you something: the doubler's partner will probably lead a spade. If 3NT is your likely game, the spade lead is now something to plan for.

To practice these hands, open the Bidding Room and bid with the robots, or work through bidding puzzles where a minor slam is the right spot. The full 1NT structure is in notrump bidding, and the slam tools are in slam bidding.